Several brokers’ syndicates in Madaripur and Shariatpur are fleecing overseas jobseekers and expatriates in the name of giving lucrative and secured jobs in European countries, especially in Italy.

Many expatriates have already been killed and injured by the torture of these syndicates despite giving handsome money selling land, and houses or taking loans from the local lenders.

According to the sources, brokers’ syndicate works in three stages. In the first stage, they recruit overseas jobseekers youths from many villages with the help of some local public representatives. If any untoward situation happens, these public representatives tackle the situation. In the second stage, some brokers stay in the capital Dhaka. They collect air tickets and visas and send the expats abroad. In the final stage, a syndicate stays in Lybia. They torture the migrant seekers and collect money from the families of the victims.             

In Madaripur, Robin Khan, 22 left the country for Italy one year ago. He was confined for long days in Libya by the brokers. He was beaten up several times and had been issued death threats during this detention. Robin’s family, later, gave Tk 17 lakh to the brokers’ syndicate selling properties. From August 22, family members cant’s contact Robin. They don’t know whether Robin is alive or not.   

In another case, the family of expatriate Azim Bepari, 22, son of Amzad Bepari in Peyarpur union under Madaripur Sadar Upazila, cant’s contact for three months. They gave Tk 18 lakh to a broker Amir to send Azim to Italy.     

Lamenting the situation, Amzad Bepari said, “I have given Tk 18 lakh selling land. We have nothing now. We don’t know where my son is.”

Rana Mollah, son of Yunus Mollah of the same area left Bangladesh for Italy through brokers. But he was detained and tortured in Libya. Brokers’ syndicate took Tk 22 lakh in phases from Rana’s family. Later, Rana returned to the country. He described how the brokers’ syndicate tortured him. 

Like Robin, Azim, and Rana, many youths in the Madaripur district are facing a horrific situation. Many of them are still missing including Tariqul and Rubel of Payerpur. They have no contact with their families. Some of them reach Italy taking the risk of life and some of them return country as bodies. Some of them are found long days later.

Surprisingly, most of the victim families do not file cases against the brokers. As a result, brokers’ syndicate becomes more active in sending more job seekers abroad.

Some members of the brokers’ syndicate in the district are Emdad Bepari, Jamal Khan, Jahangir Hawlader, Yusuf Khan Jahid, Nasir Sikdar, Zulhad Talukdar, Zakir Hossian, Liakat member, Rabiul alias Rabi, Kamrul Mollah, Emran Mollah, Shamim Fakir, Samrat Fakir, Shaidul Mattabbar, and Siraj Mattabbar in various upazilas of the district. Some women members also helped them by collecting juveniles and youths for commission.  

Contacted, Madaripur police super Masud Alam said they have arrested some culprits and will take action further. 

In Shariatpur, a brokers’ syndicate has taken handsome money from expatriate Ali Akbar promising to send him to Italy from Libya. Family members do not trace him for the last five months. Lamenting the situation, Akbar’s mother hopes her son will return one day. 

Like Akbar’s family, many families have been waiting for years to get information about their dear ones who went to Libya for Italy through brokers.

Some missing overseas jobseekers in the district are Kamal Bepari, Foisal Madbar, and Shawkat Fakir of two separate upazilas. All of them started their journey to Italy through the Mediterranean Sea from Libya. Family members think they might be killed in the boat capsize.  

According to police, expatriate families and victim families, a brokers’ syndicate has been sending youth job seekers abroad for a long. Many families have lost everything for this syndicate. Thus syndicate takes money by hostaging the expats. 

Shariatpur police super Mahbubul Alam said they have been informed of the incidents. Police are working to arrest the culprits.

“Investigation is underway of some cases,” he added.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 7, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.